Envelope opener and finger-nail cleaner



MW. 18, W24. 11,515,952

F. W. JOELL ENVELOPE OPENER AND FINGER NAIL CLEANER Filed Oct. '7. 1920 zlwvenkoz Patented Nov. l8, i924 FREDERICK 1V. JOEL-L, F HAIIIILTON, BERMUDA.

ENVELOPE OPENER AND FINGER-NAIL CLEANER.

Application filed October 7, 1920.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. JonLL,

a subject of the King of Great Britain, re-

siding at Hamilton, Bermuda, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Envelope Openers and Fingenllail Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in envelope openers and fin ger nail cleaners, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device including means for severing a corner of an envelope and means insertible through the severed portion of the envelope for opening the same.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an envelope opener and finger nail cleaner including a flexible blade and means for retaining the same in a closed position and covering the point thereof.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of the above nature which may be constructed from a single sheet of material thereby minimizing the cost of construction.

(Ether objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a view of the invention severing the corner of an envelope.

Figure 2 is a view showing the blade inserted in the envelope for severing one edge thereof.

Figure 3 is a View of the invention with the blade thereof in an open position.

Figure 1 is a back view of one end of the device.

Figure 5 is a plan of the invention before being folded to complete the same, and

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the invention with the blade thereof in a closed position.

Referring now to the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 1 designates the body portion of the device and which consists of a single piece of any suitable material. The handle end 2 of the body portion may be of any neat and attractive design and is provided with one or more openings 3 whereby the device Serial No. 415,434.

may be mounted upon a key ring or upon any other suitable support.

The opposite end of the device has its opposite longitudinal edges provided with a pair of oppositely disposed V-shaped cut out portions l whereby this end of the device will be provided with cut away corners 5 and whereby the blade 6, to be hereinafter more fully described, will be provided with a free pointed end 7. A slit is made to extend from the apex of one V-shaped portion 4 transversely of the body portion toward the vertex of the coacting V-shaped cut out portion, whereby the free end 9 of the body portion may be more easily folded back upon the rear of the body portion 1 as most clearly seen in Figure 3.

Extending from the longitudinal edge of the free end 9 adjacent the free end of the blade 6, is an extension or tab 10 having its end adjacent the cut out portion 4: suitably beveled or cut away as at 11 so that this end of the extension will coincide with the lower corner 5 as clearly shown in Figure 3. This extension 10 is bent along the dotted line 12 as shown in Figure 5 whereby it may be disposed in spaced relation to the frontface of the device to provide a pocket for-the free end of the blade 6 for retaining the same in a closed position, and for covering the pointed end thereof.

The blade 6 is provided by making an inclined incision 13 extending from the ver ten of the cut out portion 1 to a point adjacent the handle end of the device and equidistant from the longitudinal edges thereof. In order that the corner of an envelope may be inserted in the incision, one edge thereof which is carried by the body portion 1 arcuately cut away as at it thereby providing a relatively wide incision, the ends 15 of which converge and are sharpened whereby to sever the corner of an envelope as it is moved into the incision.

It will of course be understood that the device is constructed from any kind of flexible metal and that when the blade 6 is not in use, its free pointed end 7 is disposed in the pocket formed by the space between the body portion and the tab or extension 10. However, when it is desired to use the blade for opening an envelope, or cleaning finger nails an inward pressure is exerted upon the outer longitudinal edge of the blade 6 to move the same inwardly sufficiently toward off corner thereof and moved across one edge of-theenvelope, it being understood that the relative inner edge of the blade 6 is provided with acutting. edge.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have reference to the preferred or approved embodiment of my inve'ntionfl lit is to be understood however, that such changes may be made in construction and. arrangement of parts, materials,

dimensions, etc. as may prove expedient and fall within the scope of the appended claims. Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is 1'. An envelope opener comprising a body portion having. an elongated slot therein with closed ends, the sides of said slot being arranged in converging relationship and one edge being sharpened. 2. An envelope opener comprising a body portion, a blade associated therewith and movable relatively thereof, said blade forming an openingwith the body portion when closed.

3-. An envelope opener comprising a flexible body portion having an incision or slot therein to provide a relatively movable blade, and means for retaining said blade in a closed position.

4. An envelope opener comprising a flexible body portion having oppositely disposed l-shaped notches in the longitudinal edges thereof, adjacent one end to equip said end of the body portion with an end tab, said body portion being provided with a longitudinally extending slit to provide a flexible blade, one of the said notches providing the blade with a point, a laterally extending tongue on said tab, and the tab being adapted to be bent upon one side of the body portion and the tongue upon the other side to provide a pocket for the reception of the free end of the blade.

5. A device of the class described comprising a flexible body portion having an incision or slot therein to provide a blade movable laterally of the body, and one end of the body portion being folded to provide a blade receiving pocket.

6. A device of the class described comprising a flexible body portion having an incision or slot therein to provide a blade, one end of the bodyportion being folded transversely upon one edge, and a portion of said end being bent laterally upon the opposite side of the body portion to form a blade receiving pocket.

In testimony whereof I afiixmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK W. JOELL.

Vitnesses P. S. INGHAM, W A. ZUILL. 

